Protecting aircrew

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dain Boelter cleans the visor on a HGU-55P flyers helmet in the 333rd Fighter Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment shop on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 1, 2012. The visor is cleaned after every flight as part of post-flight procedures to prevent obstructed vision while flying. Boelter, 4th Operations Support Squadron AFE journeyman, hails from Mendota Heights, Minn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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Protecting aircrew

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dain Boelter rinses off an HGU-55P flyers helmet oxygen hose in the 333rd Fighter Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment shop on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 1, 2012. The oxygen hose plugs into an aircraft oxygen system channeling air from the jet to aircrew members. Boelter, 4th Operations Support Squadron AFE journeyman, is from Mendota Heights, Minn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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Protecting aircrew

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dain Boelter places a HGU-55P flyers helmet on a shelf in the 333rd Fighter Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment shop on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 1, 2012. After each flight the helmets are inspected, cleaned, reconstructed and returned to the aircrew member’s locker. Boelter, 4th Operations Support Squadron AFE journeyman, is a native of Mendota Heights, Minn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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Protecting aircrew

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joshua Jenkins conducts a pull test on a harness using a push-pull gauge in the 333rd Fighter Squadron’s aircrew flight equipment shop on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 1, 2012. The push-pull gauge tests the tension strength in the ejector strap to ensure a pull force of seven plus or minus two inch pounds. Jenkins, 4th Operations Support Squadron AFE apprentice, hails from Detroit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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Protecting aircrew

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dain Boelter and Airman 1st Class Joshua Jenkins work on aircrew flight equipment in the 333rd Fighter Squadron’s AFE shop on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., May 1, 2012. Airmen in the AFE shop are responsible for inspecting, repairing and building flight equipment used by aircrew members to include helmets, parachutes and ejector seats. Boelter, 4th Operations Support Squadron AFE journeyman, is from Mendota Heights, Minn. Jenkins, 4th OSS AFE apprentice, hails from Detroit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

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Protecting aircrew

Published May 3, 2012
By Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Airmen assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing aircrew flight equipment shops are responsible for the personal safety of the base's F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers.

Each fighter squadron has its own AFE shop with technicians who ensure aircrew equipment is serviceable through routine inspections, cleaning, repairs and reconstruction.

"We are responsible fitting the aircrews gear and maintaining their equipment," said Tech. Sgt. Billy Artis, 333rd Fighter Squadron AFE NCO in-charge, from Columbia, S.C.

There are currently six Airmen assigned to the Lancer's AFE shop who are responsible for maintaining the equipment for more than 90 aircrew members.

"I love my job," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Jenkins, 4th OSS AFE apprentice from Detroit. "I feel like I'm making a difference."

These Airmen work on a wide range of equipment, such as helmets, oxygen masks, anti-gravity suits, survival kits, parachutes, harnesses and flotation devices.

"Aircrew safety is our priority," Artis said. "Their lives are our business."